It is very common for doctors to advise patients to stop smoking for a period of time before and after surgery. This advice is given for good reason – smoking can cause significant problems during the surgical process and recovery. In this article, we will explore why smoking is prohibited after surgery, the impacts it can have, and for how long you should avoid smoking.
The Reasons for No Smoking After Surgery
There are a few key reasons why healthcare providers strictly advise no smoking after surgery:
- Smoking severely slows wound healing – Smoking constricts blood vessels, limiting blood flow and oxygen to surgical wounds and sites. This can delay healing, increasing the risks of complications like infections.
- Higher risk of post-surgical complications – Smokers have a significantly higher risk of various complications after surgery, including infections, issues with anesthesia, respiratory complications, and heart problems.
- Interferes with treatment – Smoking can interfere with certain treatments given after surgery, like radiation therapy, making them less effective.
- Puts strain on the lungs – The coughing caused by smoking can put strain on the lungs, which are still weakened from anesthesia and being intubated during surgery.
With the body already stressed from undergoing surgery, smoking can tax it even further and inhibit the body’s ability to heal itself optimally. Avoiding smoking helps minimize risks and supports better recovery.
Impacts of Smoking After Surgery
Some of the key potential impacts and risks of smoking after surgery include:
Delayed Wound Healing
As mentioned, smoking limits blood flow and oxygen delivery throughout the body, including to surgical incisions and wounds. This significantly slows the wound healing process. Smoking just one cigarette can reduce blood flow to the skin for over an hour.
Slow healing raises the risks of:
- Dehiscence – Wounds reopening
- Infection – Higher risk of wound infections
- Incision rupture
- Poor scar formation
- Need for further surgery & procedures to fix issues
Respiratory Complications
Smoking increases mucus production and coughing. The forceful coughing can stress the lungs and airways while they are still recovering from the trauma of surgery. Respiratory issues after surgery tied to smoking include:
- Pneumonia
- Collapsed lung
- Fluid build up
- Requirements for oxygen therapy & other lung treatments
Higher Infection Risk
Infections after surgery are a serious risk. Smoking weakens the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to infections. Post-surgical infection risks are:
- 2-4x higher for smokers
- Higher for all major infection types – respiratory, surgical wound, urinary tract, etc.
Severe infections can be life-threatening and require intensive antibiotic treatments.
Poor Bone & Tissue Healing
After orthopedic surgeries like joint replacements, spinal fusions, and fracture repairs, smoking impairs bone healing. It also inhibits the healing of ligaments, tendons, and other tissues.
Higher Risk of Complications
Many studies have found significantly higher general complication rates after all types of surgery for smokers. Some increased risks include:
- 2x higher risk of heart attack
- 2x higher risk of stroke
- 3x higher risk of thrombosis
- 12x higher risk of poor wound healing
- Up to 4x higher risk of lung complications like pneumonia
Heart attack and stroke risks are elevated due to smoking causing atherosclerosis – build up of plaque in the arteries. The carbon monoxide and nicotine in cigarette smoke also limit oxygen delivery.
Higher Mortality Rate
Along with higher risks for various post-surgical complications, smoking also increases the risk of death after surgery significantly. Quitting smoking could reduce surgical deaths by up to 44%.
How Long to Avoid Smoking After Surgery
So how long should you avoid smoking after having surgery? General guidelines include:
- At least 2 weeks before any scheduled surgery
- At least 4 weeks after minor procedures
- At least 8 weeks after major surgeries
- Up to 3-6 months after orthopedic procedures to allow bones to heal
Ultimately, you should follow your doctor’s specific instructions on when you can resume smoking. Some may advise ceasing smoking permanently due to the long-term impacts on your health.
The Benefits of Quitting Smoking Before Surgery
While avoiding smoking around the time of surgery is important, quitting entirely provides even more health benefits. Quitting several weeks or more before surgery can:
- Start to reverse damage smoking causes
- Improve lung function
- Lower surgical risks closer to non-smokers
- Reduce complications like poor wound healing
- Allow you to heal faster after surgery
- Reduce pain and need for painkillers
Studies show quitting smoking for at least 4 weeks prior to surgery can reduce complications significantly. Heart and lung function also start improving within just 1-9 months of quitting smoking.
Tips to Quit Smoking Before Surgery
Here are some tips that can help you quit smoking before an upcoming surgery:
- Pick a quit date at least 4 weeks pre-surgery and stick to it
- Tell your friends & loved ones about your quit plan to create accountability
- Identify your smoking triggers and find alternatives
- Exercise daily to reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal
- Drink lots of water to flush nicotine from your body
- Try nicotine replacement options like gum, patches, or lozenges
- Get rid of cigarette packs, lighters, ashtrays so they aren’t a temptation
- Join a support group to help you through cessation
- Talk to your doctor about cessation medications if needed
Set a goal to quit for good, not just temporarily around your surgery. Having a major operation is a great motivator to help inspire this change.
Conclusion
Healthcare providers strongly advise not smoking after surgery because it can lead to many problems and raise risks. Smoking hampers wound healing, increases infection risks, stresses the lungs, raises complications, and inhibits optimal recovery.
To allow the body to properly heal, it’s recommended to avoid smoking for a minimum of 2 weeks before surgery and 4-8 weeks after. But quitting entirely provides the best health benefits long-term. Using the tips above, develop a cessation plan with your doctor’s guidance. Being smoke-free before surgery and beyond can help you recover faster and reduce future health risks.